My *beeping* computer is broke

[Mobius]

Dammit. I just got home from work and switched my pc on and it went to the screen saying something has gone tits up and should i start in SAFE MODE / SAFE MODE with CMD prompt / LAST KNOWN GOOD CONFIGURATION / NORMAL.

I've tried every option and it goes to the XP loading bit, then I hear a clicking noise from inside my pc, and it restarts itself. I can't even get to windows.

Does anyone have any idea why this could be? Any help is muchly appreciated.

 

[Jonty]

Dammit. I just got home from work and switched my pc on and it went to the screen saying something has gone tits up and should i start in SAFE MODE / SAFE MODE with CMD prompt / LAST KNOWN GOOD CONFIGURATION / NORMAL.

I've tried every option and it goes to the XP loading bit, then I hear a clicking noise from inside my pc, and it restarts itself. I can't even get to windows.

Does anyone have any idea why this could be? Any help is muchly appreciated.

Hi Mobius

You'll get the start up options whenever Windows fails to boot properly. If I understand you properly you can boot to the point where the Windows logo appears and the loading bar is scrolling across, and then it cuts out? This seems to suggest that it passes the hardware checks okay, but why you then hear a click and it restarts I'm unsure. It may be some sort of thermal cutout, but these usually kick in far sooner and cut the power completely.

The only other thing I can think of is that your hardware is fine and Windows is encountering an error when loading, whether intentionally put there by malware or because of some sort of file corruption. There used to be an option whereby you could boot Windows and choose 'yes'/'no' to each file before it's loaded. You may want to try that and see at what point it restarts, or whether it cuts out after a certain time (which may suggest a hardware problem if it's regular enough). Seems funny something like this would just occur, though.

Sorry I can't be of more help, I'll have a think and post again in the morning, if some other helpful souls haven't already solved it by then

Kind Regards

Jonty

Edit ~ Having just played with my system I'm unsure what to suggest. The boot options (hold down F8 when booting) present a safe mode, with minimal drivers etc, and a last known good configuration mode, both of which I would have thought would work if your files had somehow become corrupt. That said, since they're not working that leaves hardware trouble, but getting to the point you do, all the vital hardware has been checked and deemed okay. Bizarre Give the safe mode and last known options another try. If that fails, try locating where the click comes from (hard, I know) and if it's happening after a specific time lapse. Also, note any LED lights which may flash at this point on your motherboard (some boards have LEDs to help you determine a problem)

 

[Draylor]

'Clicking' sounds like it could be a disk problem - but it could be anything.

Pop the case off and try to hear exactly where the sound is coming from. That should give someone a bit of a clue as to whats going on.

 

[MYstIC G]

Just had the same problem today, my second HDD is dying...

If you don't have it installed, go onto the MS knowledgebase and install the "Recovery Console" it's dead handy

Obviously I still had to wipe my FUCKING DRIVE... mutters

 

[Mobius]

Thanks for the advice. I've taken the entire case off, removed all the dust/dirt etc but it still doesn't work. I've pressed Delete and F8 on startup and tried every single option but the same thing happens. It goes to that black screen with the windows XP logo and the little loading bar, finishes that and then the clicking noise occurs and it reboots itself. I've watched the inside of the pc and there are no lights on the mobo which flicker when it reboots, or at any other time and I can't identify where the click noise comes from because its so fast and the pieces are so close to eachother.

I think I might just buy a new computer. I've been wanting to for a long time and this is as good a reason as any. Can you buy prebuilt computers that don't completely suck arse or am I going to have to build my own?

 

[Mobius]

Just had the same problem today, my second HDD is dying...

If you don't have it installed, go onto the MS knowledgebase and install the "Recovery Console" it's dead handy

Obviously I still had to wipe my FUCKING DRIVE... mutters

I can't install it because I can't even get to windows. :'(

 

[Jonty]

Hi Mobius

If you have the XP CD then insert that and boot your computer, when prompted choosing to boot from CD (if you don't get such a message, go into the BIOS and make sure the CD/DVD drive is the first boot device).

From there you should be able to format and reinstall your copy of Windows. Note that you will loose all your information doing this, absolutely everything, but it's certainly cheaper than buying a new PC. (There may be the option to repair your installation too, which you may want to try first as this is less drastic).

As for new PCs, yes you can get very good pre-built systems. Personally I still think Dell cannot be beaten on price on their low to mid-range system. They're not without their faults, but right now you can get a very nice Pentium 4-based system, complete with flat panel monitor, speakers etc. for around £500. There are also many others (Scan, MESH etc, not that I can vouch for their reliability), the average PC magazine is packed with such systems (just avoid Tiny and PC World etc, which still tend to have a dubious reputation). You could also build your own very nice system, which has its advantages, particularly when you already have a monitor, speakers etc.

Kind Regards

 

[Bob007]

Mobius,I've got some software that MAY help. But due to its nature i've PM'ed you link and instructions. Hope this helps. Post report here if ya get errors and not sure, but full manual with it.

 

[Mobius]

I'm not sure what the problem was but I've reinstalled windows and its fixed now, so thanks.

I've ordered a new computer, £1200. Very snazzy indeed. Should be here in about a week. I'm formatting this one, installing XP pro, and giving it to my brother so he can play SWG.

Can't wait for my new comp!

 

[Jonty]

Wow, for £1200 it should rock Glad formatting it did the trick for the now old computer, though. I'm guessing there was just a corrupt or malicious file somewhere along the boot cycle, but I'm surprised it caused the error the way it did.

Kind Regards

 

[PLightstar]

I had the same problem, and had to format the entire HD to fix it.